Red Bull urged to fill huge void to help Max Verstappen

Red Bull has been urged to fill the void left by Helmut Marko's departure to aid Max Verstappen's unhappiness with the 2026 F1 cars.

Red Bull GmbH's veteran motorsport advisor Marko stepped down at the end of 2025, and was one of Verstappen's most trusted figures inside Red Bull.

Over the course of 2026 thus far, Verstappen has lashed out multiple times with his displeasure over the new F1 rules, including saying that anybody who did not enjoy an otherwise entertaining Chinese GP did not 'know racing.'

This came after he branded the new energy management-dependant rules as "anti-racing" and like "Formule E on steroids" in pre-season testing.

Whilst other drivers share Verstappen's criticism on the rules, none have been as vocal as the Dutchman, with the likes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton enjoying the racing created by the new regulations.

Reflecting on Verstappen's position, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes that Red Bull would be well-served in hiring a Marko-type figure to tell Verstappen to "stop" his public criticism and open flirtation with other areas of motorsport, including the Nurburgring 24 Hours.

"I think that in terms of character, Max is just top notch, there is nothing to criticise about that," Schumacher told Backstage Boxengasse.

"What is only missing at the moment is someone next to him. When someone is as successful as Verstappen is - I experienced that myself once - then of course, there are a few people who contradict him.

"He would do well to listen to his father or a good friend and focus on the core. I don't think it helps him to talk about Mario Kart; he can do that with his friends. 

"Nor does it help to say on TV: 'I'm glad I now have the Nürburgring and can drive Le Mans, because I like that. Formula 1 doesn't give me pleasure at the moment.' Those are all things that don't really help.

"It's important to have someone next to you to keep you from such mistakes. And I have the feeling that that is a bit lacking with him.

"Of course, he has become accustomed to being able to do more or less what he wants because of his success, and get recognition for that. Now the situation is different: he is currently driving more in the midfield, at least when he is not retiring.

"There is someone missing, like Helmut Marko, who speaks straight, stands behind the team and can also say to Max, for example: 'Stop, this is how we are going to do it.' 

"That role is really missing, and I hope Red Bull fills it soon, because otherwise it will create a negative dynamic that is not necessary.

"Communication is crucial. As you see now with Honda and Aston Martin, for example, just calmly say what the problem is, how many races it's going to take, and then move on. 

"Because the media keep asking questions, and if we don't get answers, we start looking for them. It doesn't help any team if you don't communicate openly and honestly."